Wall finishing construction



J1me 1960 N. NELSSON' 2,942,703

WALL FINISHING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 7, 195a 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ju I! n' ll IN VEN TOR.

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June 28, 1960 Y N. NELSSQN 2,942,703

WALL FINISHING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 7, 1953 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Patented June 28, 1960 WALL FINISHING CONSTRUCTION Nels Nelsson, Chicago, 11]., assignor to United States Gypsum Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 7, 1953, Ser. No. 330,145

2 Claims. (Cl. 189-88) This invention relates to a wall finishing construction or system, and more particularly to a construction for decoratively finishing various openings and discontinuities in building surfaces.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved system of wall finishing for buildings.

Modern building construction methods have rendered the use of wood trim and woodwork, extensively used in the past, obsolete in homes and ofiice and industrial buildings. Wood trim has many disadvantages which are overcome by the teaching of this invention. Woodwork -is costly to manufacture and install and requires extensive walls when finished with moldings, baseboards, door.

frames, window frames, chair rails or the like, in accordance with this invention.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved means for mounting wall trim.

It is a further object of this invention to provide improved means for joining adjacent trim sections of wall trim.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved means for detachably securing the wall trim to various building surfaces.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved trim construction free from visible attaching means such as filled nail holes and the like.

Further and additional objects of this invention will become manifest from a consideration of this description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In carrying out this invention in one form, a wall trim construction is provided comprising a plurality of elongated channel-shaped trim members detachably secured to a wall surface and having cover means resiliently engaging the terminal portions of the channel members to cover the adjacent ends of said elongated channel members, thus providing continuous decorative trim for build ing surfaces.

More particularly, the trim construction of this invention is fastened to any building surface by first affixing a plurality of clips to the wall substantially aligned along a wall opening-or edge. A channel-like ornamental web having a clip-engaging portion adapted to resiliently engage said plurality of aligned clips is forced into position thus detachably maintaining said ornamental web in the desired position.

-For a more complete understandingof the invention 1 reference should now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 illustrates the wall trim system of this invention as applied to a doorway;

Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of an elongat ornamental channel member;

Fig. 3 illustrates in section a clip utilized to support the elongated channel member of Fig. 2;

. Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the clip of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cover means for joining two adjacent axially aligned channel members;

Fig. 6 illustrates, in perspective, the application of the cover plate of Fig. 5 to two ornamental channel members;

Fig. 7 illustrates the wall trim of thisinvention as applied to a window opening;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the cover plate adapted to engage angularly disposed adjacent channel members;

Fig. 9 illustrates an end view of the cover plate shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a trim section similar to a view which might be taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 1. showing the manner in which the trim system of this invention is applied to a wall; and

Fig. 11 is a view in section taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 7, showing a terminating cover plate applied to an ornamental channel member.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. l, a wall 12 is shown having a doorway 14 therein In modern in which a door 16 is hingedly mounted. building construction it is possible to construct a doorway with an invisible metal or wooden frame substantially concealed by the completed wall. This, however, is found to produce an unaesthetic, cold appearance, and it is considered desirable to provide an ornamental wall trim surrounding the aperture forming said doorway. Such a system of wall trim, as shown in Fig. 1, may consist of a pair of elongated ornamental channel members 18 forming vertical trim sections and a horizontal elongated channel member 20 secured to the wall edges in a manner to be described.

The junctures of the various channel members are concealed and decorated by cover plates adapted for resilient engagement over the adjacent ends of the channel members. A pair of cover plates 22 are herein shown for joining the vertical and horizontal channel members in substantially perpendicular relationship. If the Wall opening is of such dimensions that a single channel member cannot be utilized over the entire length or height of;

such an opening, two or more elongated channel members are placed in end-to-end relationship in order to enclose the entire opening. In the event that such end-to-end mounting is necessary, a cover plate is provided by this invention, although not shown in Fig. 1", to decoratively enclose the ends of adjacent aligned channel members. Angular cover plates 24 are provided to enclose the lower terminating ends of vertical channel members 18 and to provide a smooth aesthetic juncture of the door frame vertical channels 18 and baseboard channels 23 and 25:

One possible construction of the elongated channel members and various cover plates will be hereinafter described in conjunction with the remaining figures of the drawings.

A portion of an elongated channel member 26 is shown' in Fig. 2 and consists of a web portion 28, a wall-abutting flange 30 formed at right angles to the web portion 28, a spacer flange 32 formed at the opposite edge of the web portion 28 and substantially coextensive with the wallabutting flange 30, and a spring-like clamping member 34 integral with and extending from the spacer flange '32.

ducen'gid engagement of the spacenflange 32 andwallabutting flange 30 against: said wall surface. The channel members 26 may be made of any appropriate sheet materialae ither metal. or plastic though sheet steelhasbeem found to be especially well adapted for the construction; The channel; member 26 is; secured to a wall; by; a. plurality of spaced clips shown-in detail irLFigs; 3' and: 4. The clip; 3.6. has. a. substantially planar surface '38. with an aperture 40 centrallylocated therein and-.havinge an angularly; disposedportion 42 extending from one edge thereof. The aperture'40'isadaptedtoreceive any appropriate clip mountingvmeans: snchas anail-or screw. The clip 36 is' constructed; of:a:material anddimensions such that the angularly. disposedportionAZandthe upper? edge-ofthe planar portiont38 may be forcedaway from the: wall surface a suitable distance; to: accommodate the.- clamping. member 34 of the. channel26. The angular disposed portion 42 is formed. at' an appropriate. angle:

} whereby the free edge of the clamping: member 34 is guided toward. a supporting wall... The angular portion 42- is; also, of a suitablelength toinsute: engagement; by the free end of clamping member 34. .The..mannerfin which: the clip 36 and channel 261 are secured to a wall isv best shown: in Fig. 10,"where the clip 36. is: shown mounted: against a plasteredwall 44 by a nail 46'driverninto a stu'dding4'8 which: forms anaperture in. said; wall. in cooperation with a finishing board 50. In;Fig.- 1.0211118 manner. inwhichthe channelmember 26 is mounted is clearly-shown. -It. can beseen that the web. portion 28 is substantially parallel to the surface ofithewall 44," andfthe wall-abutting flange 30 and spacer flange 32 :are abutting against the surface of wall 44 and inaintainingtheornamental web portion 28in spaced relationship therefrom. The channel member 26 is maintained'in this positionby engagement-eithe-clampingsmember 34 under the planar portion 38 of the clip 36;. The clip 36 is here shown extending transversely across the: width of web member 26, with the end 52 of the-clip 36v disposed a substantial distance from the walltabutting flange 30. By: such a choice of'respective dimensionslof the over-all length of clip'36 and the transverse; width. of channel member 26, a'degree or freedom is available in the application of the clips 36 to therwall 44; A relatively unskilled worker may apply clips 36 to a surface in a substantially aligned relationship', and'the channel 26 when driven'into placethereover will conceal any slight misalignments of theclips; Theclips 36 will' engage the clamping member 34 with. suflicient tenacity to' prevent inadvertent shiftingiofrthechannelmember once the installation is completed; v

In assembling, theclips' 36 are first applied to the wall 441m substantially aligned, spaced relationship with the angularly disposed portions 42 substantially parallel. Theornamental channel member 26 is then placed against the:plastered wall with the freeend'56of the clampingmember'34 in engagement with the-surface of the angularly disposed portion 42 of the clip 36.

By applying a force against the spacer flange 32 theclamp member 34, which is' angularly disposed with respect to' and somewhat convergent upon the web portion 28; will'be-forced toward the surface ofthe wall 44 while sliding-alongthe surface of angularlydisposed-portion 42';

V Further'forceapplied to spacer flange 32 will move the clamp; member 34 under the planar portion 38-of the; clip 7 36 Whereby the clamp member 34willmaintain the chan- 'endi52aoftheplanar portion isreached, at'which'time the.

wall jabutting flange. 30 willj snap over: the: clip 36 and i abuts against the wall. The. upper. edge: 54: of: clip 38-:

mamas: P

1 or the like; To form:aesthetic:juncturesbetween adjawill. determine. the extreme. positionof trim. section26. To remove the web member, 26 it is desirable to place a pry between the abutting flange 39 and the wall, forcing the flange 30 outwardly from the wall against the force of clamping member 34. Applying a force against the Wall-abutting flange 30 will then force the web member 26 upwardly in Fig. l0'to remove the clamp member 34 from its resilientlyxengaged positionihetweenithe wall 44 and the planar portion 38 of the clip 36.

By this method of attachment any number of ornamental trim'members may be applied'toa wall surface to provide baseboards, moldings, door or window frames,

cent ornamental channel members 26a, cover plate 58, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6,"is utiIizedI The cover plate 58 has a web portion 60 of substantially rectangular shape and a pair of flanges 62 extending from opposite edges of: the rectangular web 6.0. Theiree: edgesv 64: of the flanges.- 62i are-formed inwardly." whereby. they williresil-w iently engage the adjac'entterminal portions of. the wallabutting flange 30 and spacer flange 3270f;v adjacentweb; members 26;.'

This is. clearly; shown'sini Eig.'.6; whereinam. upper channel; member; 2621: and .lower channeLme'mber' 26b are shownimouniedi in. end-tosend relationship. The adjacent ends'ofzsaid; channelmembers may be: contiguous or. may be'roughly cut andspaced apart as shown. in Fig. 6. Therein-the edgez66. ofichannel 26b: is; shown spaced from the;correspnnding:edge ofichannel 26a;and1both.edges are: having: an: extremely. rough; contour. To. conceal. this jointa cover 'plate-. 58 is forced over theterminal portibns of web members; 26a. and 26b. whereby the turned-in edges 64.01: the" flanges 62 of the coverplate engages the; web portions/'28 of the: associated channel tion. as applied. to; a windowopening; Therein a win- 58 resiliently" engage: the; corresponding flanges. of the adjacent trim members-1 26a'an'd:26b. The free edges 68 of: the rectangular webi-portion. 60. offthe cover plate 58 are formed. inwardly at a-i slight angle. whereby a firms positive. linealljuncture: will'be: formed between the cover plate 58 andthe juxtaposed channel: members 26a and 26b; Thus even; though; the web portions" of channel 3 members: 26a and 26b and the rectangular web 60 are i not; perfectly flat: planar surfaces, the slight angular deformationratithe edgesv 68: of'the web portion v 60 will pro 1 duce a continuous juncture acrossthe: entire transverse dimension. of: the: web portions, thus preventing sharp edges or small gaps-from existingalongthe edge 68.

As .showninFigs; 8 and 9 a coverplate70 is provided whichfis similar to that shownain Fig. 5 but adapted for use in joining angularly disposed trim members. The covert'plate' 7.0:shown' in Figs; 8 and 9is designed to accommodate: trim.mernbers which meet at substantially" right angles. The cover plate 76 has a planar L-shaped web portion.72i having. curved portion 74 formed along the: inner" edge. ofv said web.. Along' the two outer edges of the planar. web'.72 a continuous flange 76 is formed whichdsz adapted to engage: the spacer flange 32 of ad joining channelimembersizfil. The curved portion 74 of plate'lfi hasia'flange 78 extending therefrom at' substantiallyright angles; whiclrisadapted v.to. engage: the wallabuttingflange: 3,0 of the adjacent channel members.

As described WithJI'BSpeCtf to. the structure of Fig. 5, the flanges 76: and;'78 of the cover plate 70 have their respective: freeedgesflfli and 82 formed inwardly to'resiliently engage the spacer andzwall-abutting-flanges of the trim; members; whereby thezcover plate is securely supported in the desired position. Further, as described above with respect: to; Big. 5;. the. free edges 84, 86 of the planar portion 72 are? formed at a slight angle to said planar. portion to producez'airedgewhich resiliently.

memberst26... 7

Fig.1 7' illustratessthe trim constructiomof this invendow sash is shown mounted in an openinginf a wall 1022. opening has. mounted; aboutits.-. periphery a g pair of Vertical channels 104, a lintel channel 106, and a base channel 108, all secured to the wall by the clip means above described. The lintel channel 106 is joined to the vertical channels 104 by angular cover plates 110 while the lower end of the vertical channels 104- will abut against the window sill 112. The base channel 138 is finished at its ends by terminating cover plates 114 which are somewhat similar to the cover plate described with respect to Figs. and 6 but employ an additional wall-abutting flange.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 11, the cover plate 114 is pro vided for terminating the free ends of trim members to produce an aesthetic and safe termination. The terminating cover plate 114 is constructed similar to the cover plate 58 of Fig. 5, differing only in that one of the free edges has a flange 90 extending therefrom formed at substantially right angles to the planar web portion 92 and is of sufiicient length to resiliently engage the wall surface 102 at the free edge 94- of the terminating flange 90. The remaining free edge incorporates a small angular bend therein whereby the channel member 163 for-ms a sharp lineal juncture with the web portion 92 of the cover 114. A clip member, not shown in Fig. 11, is in engagement with the clamping member 96 and retaining said clamping member against the wall 102 whereby the channel 108 and terminating cover plate 114 are 7 rigidly supported against the window still 98.

Thus a wall trim construction is provided which may be adapted to decoratively finish any wall, aperture, or discontinuity, the assembly being simple in construction and easily applied by relatively unskilled workmen. While the invention has here been described as applied to a doorway and a window, it will be immediately apparent that without any modification the construction may readily be applied to window openings, the juncture of wall and ceiling or wall and floor, or various vent openings required in the heating and ventilation of modern buildings.

Furthermore, it will be apparent that while cover plates are here shown for decoratively connecting adjacent trim members which are either mounted in longitudinal alignment or in perpendicular relationship, a cover plate may be manufactured to accommodate trim members mounted at any desired angle. Many modifications of the structure herein taught will immediately become apparent to one skilled in the art and are included within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the character of my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions of service, while retaining certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of an ornamental trim construction and a wall comprising a plurality of elongated channel-shaped trim members mounted in end-to-end relationship, each of said trim members having an ornamental substantially planar web portion, longitudinal flanges normally aflixed to said web portion and spacing said web from said wall, a clamp portion partially coextensive with said web, said clamp portion contacting said wall and normally aflixed to one of said flanges; clip means substantially aligned on said wall resiliently and slidably engaging said clamp portion and securing said channel-shaped members in aligned relationship along said wall, said web portion of said trim member overlying said fianges, said clamp portion and said clip means, said clip means having a planar portion partially engaging said Wall and an angularly disposed portion extending outwardly therefrom, said planar portion resiliently and slidably contacting said clamp portion, said clamp portion being frictionally engaged between said planar portion and said Wall, the transverse dimension of said clip means being substantially less then the transverse dimension of said trim members, whereby each of said trim members is subject to limited transverse movement relative to said clip means and said Wall; decorative cover means engaging adjacent ends of said trim members and maintaining said trim members in locked alignment, said cover means having a substantially rectilinear web portion and co-extensive flange portions extending from opposite sides of said web portion resiliently engaging said channel-shaped trim members.

2. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said ornamental trim construction comprises a terminating cover means enclosing the otherwise open ends of said channel-shaped trim members, said terminating cover means having a substantially rectilinear web portion and substantially co-extensive flange members extending on three sides thereof, two of said flange members being on opposite sides of said web portion and resiliently engaging the end of said channel-shaped trim member and the third of said flange members forming an end closure for said channel-shaped trim member.

References Cited in the fi e of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 749,391 Lutz Jan. 12, 1904 903,079 Goddard Nov. 3, 1908 1,308,276 Connell July 1, 1919 1,798,897 Olson Mar. 31, 1931 1,825,010 Murphy Sept. 29, 1931 1,890,615 Kneeshaw Dec. 13, 1932 2,043,174 Jacobson June 2, 1936 2,132,400 Cum-en Oct. 11, 1938 

